Twitter Reacts To Khabib’s Title-Sealing Win At UFC 223
UFC 223 went down tonight (Saturday, April 7, 2018) from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The headliner was a make-shift lightweight championship fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Al Iaquinta. “Ragin’ Al” was game but was ultimately no match for “The Eagle”. The Russian banked two early 10-8 rounds with his usual blend of relentless wrestling and suffocating top pressure. That gave way to a protracted standup battle that the Dagestani still won behind a surprisingly effective jab. Iaquinta hunted for the knockout but couldn’t effectively close the distance. Still, his stock likely rises in defeat because of his gritty performance. Nurmagomedov, meanwhile, emerged the “undisputed” lightweight champion.
The co-main event was a strawweight title rematch between new queen Rose Namajunas and former champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk. “Thug” Rose retained her title, but it took the full 25 minutes. Her power told throughout the match, but Joanna’s impressive cardio and relentless output of leg kicks and straight punches kept her in the fight. But by the end, the Pole’s face was a bloody and swollen mess. Perhaps we could see a trilogy fight down the road, but for now, it’s on to the next for Namajunas.
See how Twitter reacted to these pivotal bouts below:
Khabib is about to kill a man. #UFC223
— Kyle Marley (@BigMarley3) April 8, 2018
#WarRaginAl!! I think he can do it guuuuys #UFC223
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) April 8, 2018
Nurmagomedov isn't a very good striker, but when he can see you aren't responding to his pressure well, he will basically speed walk forward minute after minute after minute until you wear out and let him in on your hips. #UFC223
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) April 8, 2018
Long Island's Ray Longo with a chance to get a THIRD local kid a UFC title…or, whatever it is Iaquinta gets if he beats Nurmagomedov here.
— Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) April 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/iainkidd/status/982841351795544064
https://twitter.com/LegKickTKO/status/982841351686541312
It's Ragin' Al time!!! Can he pull a Bisping?! #ufc223 pic.twitter.com/jouhdWd9Ne
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) April 8, 2018
Already breaking stuff…that’s a good sign actually. RT @arielhelwani: If you think this moment is getting to Iaquinta, he knocks over a TV monitor on his way out and laughs before walking through the tunnel.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) April 8, 2018
For the coveted bronze UFC lightweight title.
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) April 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/Patrick_Wyman/status/982842444818427905
nah wcw tv title at best
— schwan humes (@blakjordanbreen) April 8, 2018
Iaquinta looks out of his league. Really does. But he's headed to the third round and isn't beat up. So Khabib's corner calls for more damage.
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) April 8, 2018
Fighting Khabib is like… #ufc223 pic.twitter.com/kcbhR3LJXu
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) April 8, 2018
Nurmagomedov diligent about snatching Iaquinta off of his base to find choke.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) April 8, 2018
I can't wait for this fifth round roll of the dice from Iaquinta. Overhand, left hook – straight right. #UFC223
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) April 8, 2018
Khabib is in full control but he hasn't dominated. Iaquinta denied several takedowns, he just hasn't made Khabib pay. Iaquinta about to go for broke.
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) April 8, 2018
Replay of last two rounds: pic.twitter.com/QMmIZsab3K
— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) April 8, 2018
Next level takedowns #UFC223
— Anthony Walker (@AntWalkerMMA) April 8, 2018
Back in my day you couldn’t even have one @UFC lightweight champion now there’s three! 👴🏿 #ThugjitsuThoughts🤔
— The Thugjitsu Master (@thugjitsumaster) April 8, 2018
Nurmagomedov: "Now I want to fight with Georges St-Pierre in New York. Madison Square Garden." #UFC223
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) April 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/SecretMovesMMA/status/982851685260414976
https://twitter.com/123midnite/status/982851615156654080
26-0. Undefeated. UFC champion. Best lightweight in the world. Khabib Nurmagomedov. #UFC223
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) April 8, 2018
WHAT TIME IS IT?! @TeamKhabib #UFC223
Great fight from both men, Al is insane! pic.twitter.com/JJgbaOxvzF
— BossLogic (@Bosslogic) April 8, 2018
So… does that mean we have three lightweight @ufc champions now??? 🤔@TeamKhabib @TheNotoriousMMA & @TonyFergusonXT
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) April 8, 2018
Who'd have though Ragin' Al was going to take Khabib to a decision on a day's notice!!!!
What a fight guys!! Well done and congrats to the new champ!! #UFC223
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) April 8, 2018
Fuck belts. Fuck records. Fights we need to see: Khabib/Conor, Khabib/Tony, Conor/Tony, Nate/Everyone #UFC223
— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) April 8, 2018
1 days notice and @ALIAQUINTA gave Khabib the toughest fight yet. Al's a warrior through and through. Tonight was a win regardless
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) April 8, 2018
😴🔫
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) April 8, 2018
Al has a lot of ❤️👏🏽
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) April 8, 2018
It's "Thug" Rose time!!! #ufc223 pic.twitter.com/YaQjGQIBnq
— The Mane Event™ (@EliasTheodorou) April 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/JustBleedMMA/status/982826624201576448
Welp, it's edge-of-your-seat time for the remainder of the show. #UFC223
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) April 8, 2018
I’m so fucking stoked for this fight!!!
— Duane Finley (@DuaneFinleyMMA) April 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/SecretMovesMMA/status/982827959819137024
Kind of weird seeing Joanna Jedrzejczyk walk out first.
— Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) April 8, 2018
Ice cold.@RoseNamajunas #UFC223 pic.twitter.com/LVFT1vdwe2
— UFC India (@UFCIndia) April 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/LegKickTKO/status/982828735396306944
Joanna Jedrzejczyk looks more confident than I've ever seen her. She is fired up like never before. #UFC223
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) April 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/LaurenMurphyMMA/status/982829607039647746
Jesus @rosenamajunas is on point tonight! So impressive @ufc
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) April 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/Patrick_Wyman/status/982833049292304384
Thug Rose takes the first two, but Joanna Violence does her best work down the stretch. I love everything about this fight. #UFC223
— Justin Faux (@justinfauxmma) April 8, 2018
Rose's left hand has been the best weapon so far. JJ is sharp and all-in, but Rose's combination punching is paying consistent dividends. 20-18 Rose.
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) April 8, 2018
Joanna should clinch more often. She’s losing on boxing range but she should use that strength and Thai background in the clinch.
— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) April 8, 2018
"I'm just better, man" is just such a beautiful diss.
— Fernanda Prates (@NandaPrates_) April 8, 2018
I have to say @rosenamajunas improvements over the last couple years are incredible. Congrats to her and her team!
— . (@ChasSkelly) April 8, 2018
Still champ pic.twitter.com/MEGoV2dewL
— Lance Pugmire (@pugboxing) April 8, 2018
The Undisputed best Strawweight in the World.#AndStill @RoseNamajunas pic.twitter.com/OeV2V23ajh
— UFC India (@UFCIndia) April 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/123midnite/status/982838690647912449
https://twitter.com/MMA_Jim/status/982838681278001152
Respect. pic.twitter.com/2d22gNJr8z
— UFC India (@UFCIndia) April 8, 2018
Incredible incredible fight. Hands down the two best women in the game. Idgaf about results let’s see that again #UFC223
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) April 8, 2018
Hopeful we see Joanna Jedrzejczyk move up to 125 now. She and Shevchenko could make for a legendary rivalry. #UFC223
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) April 8, 2018
